Adjustable window-screen



(No Model.)

'LB DRU RQPOMBROY. ADJUSTABLE WINDOW- SGREEN.-

No 444,409. Pate'ntedfJaI 1. 6, 1891.4

M lEm.. im

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LE DRU R. POMEROY, OF SYRACUSE, NEV YORK.

ADJUSTABLE WINDOW=SCREEN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 444,409, dated January 6, 1891.

Application filed April 25, 1889. Serial No. 308,577. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, LE DRU R. POMEROY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Window- Screens; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a rear elevation of my improved window-screen in its entirety-t'. e, that face or side of the screen that usually faces or stands toward the exterior of the Window opening on the street-with portions represented as broken away for clearer illustration of certain details of construction. Fig. 2 is an enlarged isometric detail of an upper corner of my window-screen with guide-strips removed; Fig. 3, an enlarged horizontal transversesection taken on line x Fig. 2; Fig. 4,' an enlarged vertical transverse section taken on line y y, Fig. l; Fig. 5, an enlarged isometric detail illustrating a slight modification in the contour of the flange of the top rail of the screen-frame in cross-section; Fig. (han enlarged isometric sectional detail illustrating another slightmodification of abovenamed part-s; Fig. 7, an enlarged isometric sectional detail illustrating a anged portion at either side of the upper part of the top rail of the screen-frame, and Fig. 8 a longitudinal side elevation of one of the metallic side rails of the screen-frame While Abowed and prior to its insertion in the top and bot-tom rails of the screen-frame.

Similar letters and iigures of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

My invention relates to that class or kind of window-screens termed adj ustable, and so constructed as to permit of their lateral adjustment Within a window, (or windowframe,) whereby they are adapt-ed to correctly t windows of varying width.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved window-screen of the class described that is so constructed as to prevent the ingress ofv flies and other Winged insects into the room at or about the upper portion of the horizontal sliding top rail of the window-screen or wings whereon the upper win. dow sash rests perpendicularly or abuts against transversely at its back face Without regard to what length or width the complete window-screen is horizontally contracted or extended in line with the window-opening; that is readily and positively adjustable laterally to varied-width Windows; that is easily accessible and admitting of expeditious Inanipulation of its movable parts; that may quickly be secured in desired position; that, While possessing the requisite degree of durability and strength, has' desired lightness in weight and correspondingly pleasing and at- .tractive to the eye; that is expeditious and simple of manufacture and constructed at comparatively small expense.

My invention consists, essentially, in the several novel features of construction, operation, and adaptation hereinafter described, and which are speciiically enumerated in the several clauses of claims hereto annexed.

It is constructed as follows: A. is a rectangular screen-frame provided with suitable screen fabric a, and consisting of the parallel horizontal top and bottom rails b c, respectively, and the metallic side rails d d, formed respectively of an elongated strip of sheet metal bent over upon itself parallel with its length sufficiently apart to leave a slight space between its adjacent overlapping portions, and which, prior to the securing taut of the screen fabric, is slightly bowed longitudinally, the central horizontal projection of the bow being at its curved edge.

My manner of procedure in the utilization of the previously-bowed metallic side rails d d in conjointly constructing the screen-frame A and making taut the attached screen fabric is substantially as follows: I take t-he top and bottom rails b c and insert Wire-cloth or other suitable screen fabric therein, securing the same by nailing or other means, as is usually employed. I next take the bowed metallic strips or rails d cl and insert the ends of the same in the ends of the top and bottom rails b c, at the same time inserting the perpendicular edges of the screen fabric loosely in the slots g g of the metallic strips d cl and then secure the said metallic strips to the top and bottom rails with pins or bolts, as at IOO e. I next press inward upon the bowed metallic side strips until they' are straight, or practically so, longitudinally. I then press the encompassing sides of the metallic strips Z d tightly upon the inclosed screen fabric, and then I release the inward pressure hereinbefore described, which release of pressure creates a tension laterally upon the screen fabric, causing it to lie taut, smooth, and uniform.

In practice I find that sometimes it is not essential to have the metallic side rail previously bowed longitudinally, as sutlicient smoothness and evenness of the screen fabric may be attained by utilizing at the outseta side rail which is perfectly straight and de void of longitudinal curvature. At the interior or central edge of the top and bottom rails b c, respectively, are the ordinaryslight longitudinal grooves or slits in which is inserted the upper and'loweredges of the screen fabric in the usual or any preferred manner.

It is obvious that my employment of suit ably-bent sheet metal for the side rails ot the screen-frame produces amueh lighter rail than the customary ones constructed of wood and grooved, besides costing less to manufacture.

r1`hehorizontal top rail b of the screen-frame terminates Vat its rear upper portion with a iiange (or flanges) l1, that continues longitudinally therewith from end to end of said rail, which ange is preferablyan integral part of the entire rail.

The letter B designates parallel vertical wings, U-shaped in cross-section, adapted to slide vertically upon the guide-strips 7a., vertically secured at the sides of a window, their edge tongue portion z engaging the grooves Zr of the guide-strips.

Z is a narrow longitudinal slot cut into the inner edge of the respective wings B B, (suiiiciently wide transversely to permit the easy passage of the metallic side rails,) and extending into` them about two-thirds (or thereabout) their width from edge to edge, thus forming a slot whose depth on a horizontal plane is about double the width of the metallic side rail that it encompasses, and over which it horizontally slides in a forward or rearward direction.

At the top portion of the respective wings B B,.I cut a transverse horizontal channel or slot m, open at either end and .in line longitudinally with the flanged top rail b. This slot beingv wider than the vertical slot Z in the wing, it forms at the point of connection therewith and to the outer edge the shouldered portion a, the whole forming a seat adapted to support and guide the contacting portions of the flanged top rail b, whenthe adjustable wing B is at rest or being moved inward or outward in line horizontally with the direction of the screen-frame.

The slot m is of suiiicient depth to allow the top horizontal face of the upper rail b to lie evenly with the top surface of the front wall o of the slot of the wing B, as shown. As

illustrated at p, the rear wall o of said slot terminates a short distance below the level of the adjacent wall, and to such degree as to allow the bottom portion of the flange l ot the top rail b to move along its top edge and the top surface of said rail to lie evenly with the top surface of the front wall o of the slot, (or front of the windowscreen,) the flanged portion l of the rail projecting outward in line with the rear vertical face of the wing or wings. The top horizontal edge of the rear wall o forms an auxiliary seat r for the flanged rail h, t-he flange l thereof lying upon it, as shown.

At a suitable distance from the upper and lower extremities of the respective wings B B, I eut out a suilicient portion of the wood upon that side of the longitudinal vertical slot Z to permit of the free insertion and pivoting therein of a metallic toothed cam 2, of such contour and so mounted that when in its normal position it securely holds or retains the screen-frame A and adjustable wings B in positive unyielding contact with each other, preventing any lateral movement of the said frame or wings. This elt'ect is assured by the employment of a small spring s, secured within the recess in which the cam is mounted and bearing against the cam-arm t, whereby the teeth or frictional surface of the cam-body is held normally in close contact with the inner horizontal edge of the top or bottom rail b c of the screen-frame, as clearly illustrated in Figs. l and t ot the drawings.

lVhen it is desired to adjust the complete window-screen to a certain-width window, and consequently move laterally the wings B B, that encompass the side rails CZ (Z, I press inwardly upon the cam-arms, thus throwing the cam-teeth out of contact with the inner horizontal edge of the top or bottom rail b c, thereby permitting (during the continuance of the inward pressure upon the eamsarms) the sliding inward or outward laterally of one or both the wings to desired position.

3 represents a vertical slit cut centrally into the exterior' edge of the respective wings for the purpose of giving flexibility to the walls at eitherside of the slotm, and particularly of the vertical slot Z, permitting the springing apart transversely of the aforesaid parts without danger or liability of the wing splitting longitudinally, particularly at its solid external vertical edge, when subjected to the transverse outward pressure or strain su perindueed by the passage ot' the top or bottom rail D c along the slot m of the wing. Ordinarily devoid ot this slit 3, the free extremities of the walls of the wing, owing to its structural weakening incident to the taking away of material in the formation of the longitudinal vertical groove Z, incline transversely more or less toward each other, which, retarding to some degree the free passage of the interposed top or bottom rail of the screenframe through the slot m or slot Z, subjects IOO IIO

the wing B to liability of longitudinally split ting at its external or outer vertical edge, as without the slit 3 the central outward pressure against the encompassing contracted extremities must result in the straining or rupture of the weakest portion, the solid edge wall of the wing.

It will be readily observed and understood that by the formation of the slit 3 into the external vertical edge of the wing B a space is created that allows for the springing apart of the free ends of the wall portions thereof without liability of splitting the external edge portion of the wing, from the fact that the spinging apart of the aforenamed extremities simply brings the material at either side of the slit S into contact yieldingly, and thus in effect making the integral wing elastic or springy at the very point where it is absolutely required.

My prime and all-important object (as may be observed) in constructing the horizontal top rail b with a side flange l, whose top surface lies flush with the top surface of the front wall or face o of the respective wi ngs, and having the top of the rear wall or face o of the respective wings terminating at a point below the top edge of t-he adjacent front wall equal to the perpendicular thickness of the flange l of the top rail b, is that when the lower transverse rail of the upper windowsash lies upon the top edge of thellanged top rail, or, on the other hand, abuts at a side against the rear or flanged side of thewindow-screen,there will be neither any vertical nor horizontal transverse opening or space left between the lower rail of the upper window-sash and the flanged top rail of the window-screen, irrespective of the degree said screen may be extended or .contracted laterally to fit a window, thus absolutely preventing the ingress at the point of contact of the window-screen with the upper window-sash of flies or other winged or wingless insects into the room. i

Although preferably I construct my top railb with a flange l upon but one side thereof and rectangular in cross-section, I do not limit nor confine myself to that specific arrangement or contour, as it is obvious that when deemed preferable or desirable the top rail Z) of the screen-frame may be flanged at both sides, and the ilange may be of preferred or varied shape or contour in cross-section (as exemplified to some degree in the modifications shown in the drawings) Without a departure from the spirit or scope of my invention; also, that in connection with my flanged top rail the respective walls of the wing B may be of either corresponding or different height, according to the specific form in crosssection of the flange or flanges of the top rail, and embody my invention. j

Having thus fully described my invention, what I vclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a window-screen,ascreen-frame comprising top, bottom, and side rails secured together, the horizontal top rail thereof having upon one or both its sides flush with its top surface a lateral flange extending longitudinally therewith, vertical wings U-shaped in cross-section embracing the lateral edges of thescreen-f rame by means of a respective lateral slot, and the flange or flanges of the top rail, whose upper horizontal surface lies flush with the upper horizontal surface of the body of said top rail, adapted to rest at their end portions upon the -top edge or edges of the transversely U-shaped wings, combined and operating together substantially as described.

2. The combination, 4in a window-screen, of a rectangular screen-frame comprising top, bottom, and side rails, its horizontal top rail having at its upper portion and flush -with its top surface a lateral flan ge extending longitudinally therewith, vertical movable wings of U shape in cross-section disposed, respectively, at opposite extremities of the screen-frame, the top rail of the screen-frame whose lateral flanged portion projects outwardly substantially in line with the vertical face of the wings extending beyond the side rails of the screen-frame and fitting at each protruding end in a horizontal slot formed in the top portion of the respective wings, said wings inclosing by their vertically-slotted portions the side rails of the screen-frame and adapted to longitudinal adjustment thereon, all the said parts being constructed and operating together substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

3. In a window-screen, a rectangular screenframe comprisingv top, bottom, and side rails secured together, the horizontal top rail thereof having upon one or bothits sides flush with its top surface a lateral flange extending longitudinally therewith, vertical wings U- shaped in cross-section respectively em bracing the lateral edges of the screen-frame ly a lateral slot, a lhorizontal slot at the top of said wings adapted to receive a projecting end of the flanged top rail of the frame, and cams mounted at the upper and lower portions of the interior of the U-shaped wings, that are adapted to be thrown into or out of frictional contact or engagement with the adjacent top or bottom rails of the screenframe and hold it and the encompassing wings against lateral movement or displacement, combined togethersubstantially as described, and for the purposes herein specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 8d day of April, 1889.

LE DRU R. POMEROY.

lVitnesses:

WM. C. RAYMOND, FRANK E. WRIGHT.

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